Automatic apparatus for applying nonskid chains



Dec. 14 1926. 1,610,439 7 w. H. GASTON, JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NONSKID CHAINS Filed Oct. '7, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 F i I I :5 p m I i l i i L u I Q .Gasion Jr. i NH INVENTOR.

A ATTORNEYS.

I Dec. 14,1926.

W. H. GASTON, JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NCSNSKID CHAINS F'ilefl 0:01;. 7, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 14 1926.

- 1,610,439 W. H. GASTON, JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NONSKID CHAINS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 7, 1924 7!!! rIlIllll/IIA IIIIIIIII/lIl/Illllll/ & v n w. 6 a w INVENTOR.

law

llnltlllllllllu'l'l 4 W -S .0 I

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 1 4 1926.

w. H. GASTON, JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NONSKID CHAINS 1924 6 Sheets$heet 4 Filed Oct. '7

MH.Gas2on INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 14 1926.

W. H. GASTON. JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NONSKID CHAINS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 7, 1924 I N VEN TOR. /aua k N. Gaslon Jr.

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 14. 1926.

1,610,439 .w. H. GASTON, JR

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NONSKID CHAINS Filed Oct. 7 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

\ALlLGasZon Jr.

. w m W ww Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

l l'l fi ST'EEQS WILLIAM H. essrou, an,

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR Application fil'ed October 7,

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide, in an automatic apparatus tor applying non-skid chains on the drive wheels of an automobile, a construction which can .be easily carried under the running board of the automobile, in conjunction with means at the drivers seat and operatively connected with the apparatus for applying and'removing the chains to and from the wheels.

Another purpose is to provide means to uni-eel non-skid chains and carry their ends rearwardly whereby they may be attached to the drive wheels and then carry the opposite ends of the chains to the Wheels to complete the application of the non-skid chains upon the drive wheels.

tdtill another purpose is the provision of means for causing the non-skid chains to re -reel as they are automatically removed from the drive wheels during their forward action and in such a manner as to avoid any interference bv the sides of the tire and the rim. I

' A further purpose is the provision of means for automatically attaching and detaching the ends of the non-skid chains to and from the wheels.

A still further purpose is the provision of means carried by the drive wheels to which the opposite ends of the chains may he detachablv connected. 7

The invention further aims to provide, in an apparatus for automatically applying non-skid chains to drive wheels of automobiles, a. reci construction from whichthe nor-skid chain can be reeled and discon nected. in conjunction with means carried by the reel and put under tensionas the non-skid chain is removed fromthe reel, so as to c...use the chain to rewind on the reel.

The invention also aims to provide means to prevent twisting of the side chainsot the non-skid chain armor durin the applicad removal of the same to and from the dr. wheels of annutomohile.

it is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no .way limitative and that, while still keeping within the scope of the intention, any desired-modifications of detail and desi proportions n ay be N T "QFQFEC E osiviamson, Wisconsin.

APPLYING Nansen) CHAINS.

1924. Serial No. 742,208.

made in the apparatus according to the cirrear portion of an automobile, showing the improved apparatus applied.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same.

Figure 3 is an elevational View partly in section showing the apparatus as having been operated and in the act of completing the a tachment of the armor to one of the rear drive wheels.

Figure 4; is atop plan viewot Figure 3 with a part of the housing in sectionand the wheel rim and tire in section.

Figure 5 is a top plan view showing the wheel rim and tire in section. I

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View with the drum in section.

Figure 7 is a view showing one end of the reel with the gear 39 and out oi engagement with the teeth of the reel and those ot the rods 17 and 18.

Figure 8 is a view in elevation of the opposite side of the apparatus, the housing of which is partly in section.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 99 of Figure 2. w 7

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper left hand side of Figure 9,

more clearly showing the construction and mounting of the gears 39 and 40.

Figure ll'is a sectional view on line 11- 11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on line 12-12 of Figure 1-.

Figure 13 is ,a sectional view 153 123 of Figure 4.

Figure 14 is a cross section ofthe tubular guides for the rods 17 and L8. I

- Figurelais a detail perspective of one of the guide tubes 19, showing the spiral slot:

27 and lug 28.

Figure 16 is a sectional iew of one of thev tubular rods 19, showing the swivel joint. Figure 17 is a detail view of th tubular on line support 16, showing the inclined cam faces 47 and 48. v

Figure 18 is a detail view of the tubular support 46, showing another position of the inclined cam faces 47 and 48.

Figure 19 is a detail view showing how the housing with the mechanism therein is mounted on the running board for adjustment to either one of the two positions shown.

Figure 20 is a detail sectional view of the chain armor attaching shoe.

Figure 21 is a sectional view on line 2l21 of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a detail sectional view of one of the attaching links of the chain armor. Figure 23 is a plan view oi? Figure 22.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a portion of an automobile, 2 the runninr' board and 3 one of the rear wheels, and denotes a housing hin edly supported at e which, in connection with suitable means (not shown) may be moved from a normal position under the body of the automobile to a position under the running board in front of the rear wheels.

The housing is of the general shape shown, and mounted in the larger portion 9 thereof is a suitable reeling mechanism 10 for carrying the non-skid chain 11. It is understood that each running board is provided with a housing of the character illustrated, therefore each housing carries a reeling mechanism. However, only one housing including a reeling mechanism is illustrated.

The reeling mechanisi'n comprises a shaft 12 fixedly mounted in bearings transversely of the housing and rotatably mounted upon the shaft is a reel 13 including a drum l t. The interior of the drum has a main spring 15, one end of whicn is connected to the wall cl the drum, the other end to the shaft 12 so when the reel with its drum is operated ti for the purpose of advancing the nonskid chains rearwardly toward the rear drive wheel 3. the main spring is put under tension so that the reel and drum will act to re-reel the non-skid chain upon the reel.

The ends of the side chains of the non slrid armor are detachably connected at 16 to the end disks of the reel. In fact, both ends of the side chains of the non-skid armor are connected to the reel. In order to ad vance the non-skid chain rearwardly toward the rear drive wheel, suitable rods 17 and 18 are provided. These rods are mounted in tubular guides 19 and are disposed normally for the purpose of putting coil springs 2i) (which are mounted in thetubular guides 19) under tension. The rods 17 and 18 are mounted to operate on opposite sides of each of the rear wheels, that is, when advancing the non-skid chain or armor toward the rear wlieel.

The tubular guides 19 are connected by a transverse bar 21. An additional rod 22 provided below the rod 17 and connected thereto for movement therewith. The rear ends of the rods 17 and 18 have depending arms 23, the terminals of which are provided with chain armor attaching shoes 2%. These chain armor attaching shoes connect with the locking terminals 25 of the swivel links 26 at the ends of the side chains of the nonskid armor so as to unwind the armor from the reel and carry the same toward the rear wneel. i

When the housing is positioned below the running board. the rods 17 and 18 are then released and due to the action of the coil springs 20 in the tubular guides 19, the rods are advanced rearwardly. When the rods are advanced rearwardly, the arms are in depending positions. However, as soon as the rods 1''? and 18 reach the limit of their earwardly advanced positions, the rods 1? and 18 are given a quarter turn to dispose the arms in positions extending ton rd each other, that is, extendingtoward the side of the rear wheel. To accomplish this re suit. the tubular guides are provided with spiral slots 2? with which lugs 28 (which are carried by the rods 17 and 18) enga Obviously, as soon as the rods are about reach the limit of their rearward movement, the coil springs 20 still exerting pres sure upon the rods v the rods automaticall receive a quarter turn due to the lugs 28 ramming in the spiral slots 27. The arms 23, when so turned, have the locking ttr' nals 25 ot the swivel linl 26 ot the chains oi? the non-skid armor in position to connect with the catches or keepers 29 which are carried by opposed plates 30 mounted upon the rear wheel, there being shields or guard plates 31 so disposed to protect a d -in the lochi terminals in engagement with the catches or keepers. When the locking term. ls are in the act of conncc" with the keepers or catches, suitable lugs of the terminals enter the slots or grooves o3 which are formed in the opposcl plates 30 to in 'e llOlCllIlg the locking terminals in posit. ill. The shields or guards act to pro tect he terminals and at the same time to retain them in engagement with the catches or keepers.

As soon as the locking terminals are op eratively connected to the catches or keepers the rods 17 and 18 are returned to their nor mal positions, that is, moving in a forward. direction.

The opposed plates 30 of the catches or keepers 29 are applied to the wheel. as in Figures 3, 4 and 5, in any suitable manner, preferably as forming a part of the bral e drum of the rear wheel. The plates 30 the keepers have grooves 33 on their remote faces positioned to receive the terlninallii of the chain armor, there being spring ten-- sioned detents 3.3% to engage with the notches 38" in "the guard plates-orshields81, thereby retaining the terminal links. ot the chain an. moi connected to the keepers. The detents have projecting pins 33 which may he moved against the action of the tensioning means oi the detent to permit the detent to disengage from the notches 33 As previously stated. as soonas the looking terminals on the sidesof the non-skid chain or armor are connected to the catches or kee ers, the rods 17 and 18 move forwardly to their normal positions. iowe'ver, a short period elapses between the time that the locking terminals are released'from'the chain armor attaching shoes 2% and attached to the catches or keepers and the'time that the rods'17 and 18 start to return their normal position. For instance, assoon as thelocking terminals are connected to the keepers or catches ot'th'e opposed plates on the'rear drive wheel, the automobile being in motion, the wheel rotates and carries th'e armor or non-skid chain with it. This initial movement thens't'artsto move the reel and due to this movement a cam 36 on the side of one ofthe end disks oi the reelecoperates with a projection or spur 87 ona moving shaft 88 (which. is guided by a frame ll) for the purpose of raising gears 39and 40. 1

The gear 39 is adapted fer meshing with thegear teeth 42 on the side of one ofthe end disks of the reel while the gear is designed for meshing with rack teeth 4L3 on the side otits respective rod 17. In tact, there are two vertically movable shafts 88, one adjacent one end ofthe reel near its upper portion, the other disposed at the opposite end of the reel adjacent its lower portion. It is to he understood that-these gears 39 and d0 are not in mesh with the teeth 42 of the reel or the teeth 13 of the rods whenthe rods 17 and 18 receive their quarter turning. The meshing of the gears 39 and lOw'ith such teeth occurs immedi ately following the return of the arms 23 to their depending positions.

While the arms 23 are in the act of moving toward their depending positions, the cam 38 is advancing toward the projection or spur 37. The final raising'ot the shaft 38 and the meshing of the gears 39"and 40 with their respective teeth and the return of the arms 23'totheir depending positions occur simultaneously. Therefore, as the rear wheel of the automobile continues its rolling movement forthe purpose'of applying the non-skid chain '0r'am01-,' the reel is rotated and, sincethe teeth e2 mesh with the gear 39, the shaft 38 receivesrevoluhle movement and duefto this movement the gear: at) is rotated" and since it; is meshing withtlie' rack teeth 43hr the rod; tli'e'rod is returned to its initial position against the the. section 45.

nected' them to the catches or lice) ons. and

the section 45-. The section d5 carries the projection or-spur'37 and is mounted in tubular support 46 which is carried by the shaft 1 W hen the cam 38 cooperates with the projection or spur 37, the inclined 'l'aces {l7 and 48 cooperate to assist in the vertical axial movement of the shaft 38. The in clined cam surface 48 is in the bottom 01% the tubular support 46 while the inclined cam surface 17 is a part of the lower end oi The upper end of the shaft 38 is guided in a tubular extension 419 of the frame 41 andis under tension of the coil sarin 5.0. A collar 51 is carried bv the t; u

shaft or rod 38 and is engaged by a catch when the shaft 88 is raised.

. When the rods 17 and 18 move forwardly after the chain armor attaching shoes have released the locking terminals and conthe rods are held in their forward pos :ions by means of the dogs 53 engaging with notches 5d of the rods. The rods have cams 55 which engage with the dogs 53 to release them from the notches 5% to permit the rods to advance rearwardly to carry the other locking terminals of the side chains of the armor, to and connect them with the kee} or catches on the plates 30. The s; catches 52 are released prior to the rumse of the dogs 53 by means of the projections 56 so that the shaft 88 may lower to its normal position to move the gears out et mesh with their respective teeth. in fact the rods. 17 and 18'have swivel sections in order thatthe depending arms 23 may be disposed in positions extending toward each other without affecting the hodysections of the rods; The swivel sectioiis of the rods are connected: to the main sections thereof,v

as at 58.

In first applying the chain armor, the rods 17 and: 18 are actuated'manually by any suitable means (not shown) adjacent the chauiieurs seat, said means to beconnected to the rod 60 in Figure 4: and'including a are swiveled at to the side-chainsfof the armor) have T heads 66 which enter the Li i channels 63 and 64. The T heads have integral knobs 67.

Referring to Figure 7, the armor applying mechanism is normally in the position shown, with certain of the terminal links connected to the attaching shoes, the balls or knobs 67 being engaged in the channels or guides 63 and 6 1- at a point indicated by the letter a. As previously stated, the rods 17 and 18 are first manually actuated by the operating means (not shown) adjacent the chautfeurs seat to trip the dogs 53. The rods 17 and 18 move rearwardly, one on one side of each rear wheel, the other on the opposite side.

'lhe operating means adjacent the chauffeurs seat may be of such construction as to move the rods 17 and 18 sufiiciently to position the attaching shoes with the lugs 39. aligned in order to enter certain of the grooves 33, especially those remote from the center of the drive wheel. is soon as the lugs 32 enter certain of the grooves 33 and the dctents 3? engage with the notches 33 the wheel being in motion will cause the T heads to pas out through the channels or guides 63 in the direction of the arrow Z) in Figure 21. The knobs or balls 67 in dis engaging from the channels 63 will depress the struck up spring 66 allowing the balls or knobs 67 to detach.

As the rear wheel is in motion, the chain armor will feed from the reel which is mounted in the housing at and during this period of operation, the rods 17 and 18 will move forwardly to their initial positions and will cease moving at the proper time to permit the knobs or balls 67 at the other ends of the side chains of the armor to enter the channels 64. The knobs or balls in entering the channels G l will engage with the angular (f-"Flil'ifll 68 of a detent 69 which is mounted in a guide of the attaching shoe. This detent 69 is spring tensioned and since the detent is loosely mounted in a guide of the attaching shoe, the terminal of the arm of the d :tent will move to one side to allow the ball or knob 37 to position at the point a. The springs in the tubular frame 19 then act on the rods 17 and 18, and .if necessary the chauffeur may assist in this operation through the operating means (not shown), the rods 17 and 18 again moving rearwardly with the other ends of the side chains of the armor.

it will be noted that the rods 17 and must, on the second operation, move a greatd once in order to position the attaching sh. s. so that the lugs 32 will enter certain other of the grooves 33 of the opposed plates 30, that is, the grooves 33 nearest the center of the drive wheel. In order to move the rods 17 and 18 this greater distance, the operating means (not shown) may be of a character to move the entire tubular frame 19, and since the right angled ends of the bar 62 are in contact with the ends of the slots 70 of the tubular guides of the frame 19, the entire frame, together with the rods 17 and 18, may move the greater distance to position the lugs 32 of the terminal links in order that the lugs may enter the grooves 33 nearest the center of the rear wheel. previously stated, it is obvious how the arms 23 on the rods 17 and 18 are moved to extend toward each other on opposite sides of the rear wheel of the automobile.

The rods 17 and 18, as long as they are received by the tubular sides of the tubular frame 19 against the action of the sprin 's 20, are held in such positions by the d l n S 0: However, the operating means at the chauffeurs seat be of a construction whereby it may actuate to move the rods 1? and 18 a short distance forwardly, sufiiciently to permit the cams 55 to lift the dogs 53, which will be held in such raised position by the spring detent 53 engaging with the serrations 53 When the rear ends of the rods 17 and 18 reach the limit of their movement to position the terminal links so that the lugs 32 will enter the grooves 33 remote from the center of the drive wheel, lugs 53 on the rods will engage with the arms 53 and move the dogs 53 downwardly against the rods 17 and 18, so that when the rods are moved back by the rear mechanism, the dogs will engage the different notches 54- and retard any tendency of the rods toward rearward movement.

In removing the chain armor, the rods 17 and 18 are moved rearwardly by the springs 20 assisted by the operating means (not shown) adjacent the chaulfeurs seat, until the attaching shoes are positioned with the channels (53 in alignment to receive the balls or knobs 67, which will engage with the lateral arms of the detcnts (39, depressing them laterally. The balls or knobs in entering the channels 63 cause the T heads 66 to guide into the channels 7 2 of the attaching shoes. The pins 33 also enter the channels 7 2, depressing the detents 33= and removing their ends from the knob 33 then the rods 17 and 1.8 move forwardly. carrying with them the terminals of the chain armor and. attaching the terminals or terminal links in the slots 7 3 of the end disks of the reel.

Due to the main spring 15 having been put under tension when removing the chain armor from the drum, the armor automatically reels upon the drum. the time the great-- or portion of the armor chain has been re reeled on the drum, the rods 17 and 18 can move rearwardly and detach the other ter minal links from the grooves 33 nearest the center of the drive wheel in the same manner as the first terminal links were detached. The rods 17 and 18 can move forwardly and remain in the positions shown in Figure 7, with the terminal l nks connected to the attaching shoes. In connecting the terminal links in the slots 73 certain edges of the slots 73 engagein grooves H of the terminal links 111' order to attach, the first removed ends oi:

the chain armor tothe reel.

A dog 75 is pivotal-1y supported at 76 and is positioned to cooperate With the teeth 71 on one end of the reel toprevent retrogression, of the reel When the main spring is put under tension. Mounted in the rod 17 (which is hollow) is a relatively but .lVhen the ,detent is depressed the ball or knob, a, catch68 engages a shoulder side.

81, of one of the, walls ofthe ehannelfi to hold the detent depressed. However, the detentrmay heturther depressed to 'allovvthe ball or knob to .passoutthrough the channel 64: after attaching the terminal link in the slot-.73. M V 7..

In the ope]. tioin the housing is first moved from under the body of the automobile to a. position 'under the running board and at the, sameti-me the rods 17 and 18 are; advanced rearivardly, ca rying the front ends of the non-skiclgchain or ;armor for the purpose of fastening locking' terminals to the, :cjatches or keepers. As soon as the roolspreach their rearvvardpositions, the lug 28. cooperates With the spiral or Worm ,slot ,27, causing the depending arms 23 to turn up and assume lateral positions projecting toward the opposite sides of the Wheel in order that the chain ends may be taken from the chain armor attaching shoes and connected to the catches or keepers on the plates 30 on both sides of the drive Wheel of the. automobile. g H

'lie front lockingft-erminals of thefside chains of the chain armor having been tastened to the keepers or catches the drive wheelie continh-es to revolve-and the ehain is slowly pulled oil ofthe reel from the under The drive Wheel 3 rolls on the chain andat the same time this is done, the main spring 15 upon the interior of the drum of the reel is being Wound; up, the reel and the drum moving in a fOTWZlEClIllIEClLlOH away from the rear drive Wheel 3, as indi cated by the arrow at in Figure 1. As the reel rotates in this direction the gears. 39 and .40 on the left side of the reel are operatedand at thesame time the gear Wheel 10 is operating its respective rod rearwardly. vVhenthe rods 17 and 18 are f rst moved rearwardly, the lugs 28 on the rods operatmoved from the drive: Wheel illie hou ing in the spiral or Worm slots, cause the att aching shoes 24. to turn down so they can pass the rim and tire of the Wheel.- In other Words, soon as the attachingshoes have released the lockingterniinals or the side chains of the armor, the rods I are in the act of moving slightly forward, that is, tending to return to their normal. forward positions and in doing so the lugs .28. op-

erate in thespiral slots 27; to return the arms 23 again totheir depending positions.

As the drive heel .8 revolves ivithtthje looking I terminals of the side chains tastened to thelreepers orcatches 01'1" the plates 30 the rods having been noved forW-ardly,

the cam operates orcamsnipOii the gear Wheel 39. moving the seine upwardly so that the spring catch 52 may ngag with the collar 51. At the same the cam disengages the dog 53 from the ,notch 5i,

permitting the rods 17 18rd advance rearwardly toward the rear drive, wheels Just before the rods-H and Y18 are released, the attaching shoes 24 have taken 1101a of the opposite ends ot the side chains of the armor so as to carry them rearivardlyto the rear Wheel. 7 l Vhen this is accomplished, the lags 28 againoperate in thespiral slots to turn the arms 23 tovvard eachfother so to be in a position to be taken by the catches or. lgeep ers on the pines;

W n th fe t E ens e side chains are advanced.reai ivarclly to. the rear heel, they move. no 1 tarther than to ngag the k pers. Q t he bet e thelast locking terminals "are advanced rear- Wardlytlie spr ings ,QO they are-car ife d tar enough toeilgagetheother set of catches or keepers on theplates 30. n1 taheach p t 80 car e setsl r catches.- I The operation occurs when the chain is removed from the reel.

.Atter the chain to the Wheel with'all four ends fastened toithje plates 30', the lever acjacent the driversor chantfeurs seat is ;operated, to return the l'iousing 'to its normal .051.

When the nonsh idichainv or armor is removed to a position under the vr 1 v b board. The ro s are then :a dvanced i rearvardly. ltis to he understood thatthe first i ls at.

locking terminals are removed'prior tothe last locking terminals therefore the chain.

armor is reversihle. Vvhen the chain armor is removed from the drive wheel 3 to the reel the mechanical partson the rightiside o f the reel are in operation andthe rod 22 assumesthe operation per-formed bythe rod '18. that is, when the chain armor is ,put

upon the rear drive vvheel. This is necessary the reel is turned avva 'y from -the dr ve v heel. n the d rection or .the arro when the chain armor 1s=appl1ed=to the drive wheel and turned toward the drive wheel, that is, in the reverse direction, when the chain armor is removed.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for applying non-skid chains, the combination with an automobile including a rear drive wheel, of a reeling mechanism for supporting a non-skid chain under the running board, means for operating said mechanism "for advancing one end of the non-skid chain to the rear drive wheel, end attaching means for connecting the chain to the drive wheel, and a mechanism for returning said advancing means for carrying the other end of the non-skid chain to and attaching it to the drive wheel.

2. An apparatus for automatically applying non-skid chains to a drive wheel including a reeling mechanism for the non-sliid chain, means for advancing one end of the chain toward the drive wheel, means for attaching said end, and means for returning said advancing means to advance the other end of the chain and attaching it to the drive wheel.

3. An apparatus for automatically applying and removing a non-skid chain to and from the drive wheel of an automobile, in cluding a reeling mechanism, means for operating the same to advance the chain from the reeling mechanism to the drive wheel,

means for re-reeling the chain from the drive wheel, and means for attaching the opposite ends of the non-skid chain to the drive wheel, said advancing means being releasable to return to its normal position whereby it may advance the opposite end of thechain to the drive wheel.

4:. An apparatus for automatically applying and removing a non-skid chain to and from the drive wheel of an automobile, including a reeling mechanism, means for op erating the same to advance the chain from the reeling mechanism to the drive wheel, means for re-reeling the chain from the drive wheel, means for attaching the opposite ends of the non-skid chain to the drive wheel, and means for automatically releasing the non-skid chain from the reeling mechanism, said advancing means being releasable to return to its normal position whereby it inay advance the opposite end of the chain to the drive wheel.

5. An appartus for automatically applying armor chains to the drive wheels of an automobile, comprising an armor supporting reel including means operable to carry certain ends of the armor rearwardly, means for attaching said ends to the drive wheels of the automobile, and means for returning said carrying means to connect it to the other end of the armor, whereby said other ends may be attached to the drive wheels.

6. Apparatus for automatically applying armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprising an armor supporting reel, rearwardly movable attaching means for conveying one terminal of the armor to and attaching it to the drive wheel, and means for returning said attaching means during the intervening interval to carry the remaining end of the armor to and connect it with the drive wheel.

7. Apparatus for automatically applying armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprising an armor supporting reel, rearwarclly movable attaching means for conveying one terminal of the armor to and attaching it to the drive wheel, and means for returning said attaching means during the intervening interval to carry the remaining end of the armor to and connect it with the drive wheel, said attaching means being terminally inwardly movable laterally at the end of its rearward movement.

8. Apparatus for automatically applying armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprising an armor supporting reel, rearwardly movable attaching means for conveying one terminal of the armor to and attaching it to the drive wheel, and means for returning said attaching means during the intervening interval to carry the remaining end of the armor to and connect it with the drive wheel, said attaching means having terminal elements automatically movable laterally toward said drive wheel at the conclusion of the rearward movement of the attaching means.

9. Apparatus for automatically attaching armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprising an armor supporting reel, armor attaching means bodily movable in a direction transverse to the axis of the reel, operative connections between the reel and the attaching means to effect initial movement of the armor, resilient means for effecting movement of the latter, and terminal members carried by the attaching means and successively engaging the extremities of the armor to advance them to the vehicle drive wheel.

10. Apparatus for applying armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprising an armor supporting reel, armor attaching means movable in a direction at right angles to the axis of the reel and pro vided with terminal elements for successive engagement with the ends ofthe armor and connecting that with the drive wheel, resilient actuating means for the attaching means, automatically released operative con nections between the attaching means and the reel tor initially imparting movement to the latter, and manualy controlled means for restraining the operation of the at taching means.

11. Apparatus for applying armor chains to a drive wheel of an automobile comprisiug an armor supporting reel, armor attaching means movable in a direction at right angles to the axis of the reel and provided with terminal elements for successive engagement with the ends of the armor and connecting that with the drive Wheel, resil ient actuating means for the attaching means, automatically released operative connections between the attaching means and the reel for initially imparting movement to the latter, and manually controlled means for restraining the operation of the attachin means, the attaching means having terminal elements laterally movable toward and away from the drive Wheel.

In testimony whereof he aifixes his signa ture. y

WILLIAM H. GASTON, JR. 

